Eargo Link vs RxEars Rxi

The Eargo Link is a mid-priced OTC hearing aid that earned an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing, placing it in the top 22% of the OTC hearing aid category. At $799, this visible-in-ear style device offers a balance of solid speech performance and exceptional streaming capabilities. In our testing, the Eargo Link demonstrated strong music streaming quality, scoring 2.48 points above the category average—a standout result for consumers who prioritize audio entertainment. Speech in quiet environments also performed well at 0.42 points above average, while speech in noise scored above the category average but remained mixed in absolute terms at 2.0/5. Feedback handling was excellent at 4.7/5. The most notable limitation is own-voice comfort, which scored 1.3/5—significantly below the category average by 1.21 points. Users sensitive to hearing their own voice may find this distracting, particularly with the closed dome configuration used in our tuned fit. The Eargo Link features rechargeable batteries and supports both iPhone and Android streaming with hands-free functionality. It's best suited for consumers who value premium streaming audio quality and solid speech clarity in quieter settings, and who can tolerate some own-voice compromise. Those prioritizing speech in noise or own-voice comfort may want to consider alternatives like the Sony CRE-E10 or Lexie B2 Plus in this price range.

The RxEars Rxi is a budget-priced prescription hearing aid in an invisible-in-ear style, earning an A grade with a SoundScore of 4.1/5 in our lab testing. At $499, it ranks #24 of 39 prescription hearing aids tested, placing it in the top 59% of its category. This device demonstrates notable strengths in speech understanding in quiet environments, scoring 4.3/5—a strong result that sits 0.89 points above the category average of 3.40/5. Feedback handling is excellent at 4.7/5, providing stable performance during movement without the whistling that can plague some hearing aids. Speech in noise performance is mixed at 2.1/5, essentially matching the category average. The RxEars Rxi has significant limitations to consider. Own-voice comfort scores low at 1.6/5, falling 1.10 points below the category average—users may notice their own voice sounds unnatural or boomy. Music streaming is not supported, scoring 0.0/5, which is 2.76 points below the category average. This device uses disposable batteries rather than rechargeables. The RxEars Rxi is best suited for users who prioritize discreet cosmetics and clear speech understanding in quieter settings, and who don't need music streaming capabilities. Those sensitive to own-voice quality or who frequently listen to streamed audio should explore alternatives.